While it was highly unlikely that he was ever going to compete at the tournament, Juan Martin del Potro officially withdrew from the United States Open on Friday afternoon citing the wrist injury that sidelined him from professional competition several months ago.

The Argentine, who currently sits at No.  11 in the rankings, has not played a match since February. He managed to win the Apia international in Sydney at the start of the season, he struggled from then on and eventually opted for surgery after failed bids in Rotterdam and Dubai.

His spot in the draw has been given to world No. 88 Simone Bolelli.

This is the second time that del Potro has been forced onto the sidelines with a wrist injury. The Argentine was forced off the tour for the majority of 2010 with a wrist injury, after he had managed to win his first (and only) Grand Slam title the prior year.